12.09.2010

Every year I look forward to coming up with fun ideas for Christmas gifts for my neighbors and friends. I love the challenge of thinking of a gift that I can produce in the masses while staying within my budget. My goal--to put together the best gift I can for as little money as possible. Now that can be a challenge!

This is the gift that I gave to my friends and neighbors last year.

Game Night In A Bag

Included: Everything you need to create a fun game night, in just one little bag.

The Game

Have you heard of the dice game Farkle? It's just one of many versions of this dice game. I chose to use a version of the game called 'Ten Thousand'. (There are no copyright restrictions on this version, it would be similar to making a tic-tac-toe game.) My kids love to play this game, even the little ones.

The Cards

Print the cards onto white card stock

Cut around the edges and glue them back to back.

Use a corner punch or scissors to round the corners.

Laminate them and then trim around the edges. Notice that I left a wide border of lamination around the edges so that the cards can withstand some abuse and not seperate.

There is a printable book of dice games from A to Z here if you'd like to choose a different game, or include more than one in the game bag. Edited to add: The link above now requires a membership to download it. There is another list of A to Z games here that can be printed/downloaded for free.

The Dice

You can buy the dice at the dollar store (I paid $1 for a package of 10).

You will need six dice for each game.

The Bag

I used corduroy to make this bag, but any fabric will work. The FINISHED bag size is 5 1/4" by 8".

Skip To My Lou has put together an excellent tutorial on how to make a drawstring bag, click here.

My bag is slightly different than the tutorial. For the drawstring, I threaded it through the casing at the top of the bag on one side and then sinched it up and tied the ends in a bow.

A Treat

Microwave Caramel Popcorn Recipe

You will need one package of microwave popcorn.

Copy and paste the recipe card into a document and size it to 3 3/4" x 5 1/2". Print and trim.

The printable recipe card is from Rainbow Row Graphics. Click here for this card as well as several other Holiday recipe cards.

Don't forget the chocolate!

Here's a birds-eye view.

The Gift Sack

This gift sack came in a pack of three from the dollar store. That's a pretty good deal, right? Well it gets better! I bought them at the after Christmas sale the year before and got a steal of a deal: 10 items for $1! Since there were three in a pack, I bought 30 sacks for only $1. I was also able to buy large gift sacks, and 3 pack gift boxes for the same price. I stocked up and I'm so glad I did because I haven't found a sale like that since. It really does pay to shop clearance!

Isn't it amazing how much fun you can pack into one little bag?

Todays Fabulous Find...Game Night in a Bag

*This post is linked to some very fun craft parties that are full of great ideas! Click on the party links on my sidebar to find some fabulous ideas!

This is so incredibly timely. My husband LOVES dice games and was just asking me the other day to pick some up at the store. This would be an awesome stocking stuffer for him. Thanks so much for the thorough and helpful tutorial. I *love* the printable game instructions! Do you have any recommendations for how to laminate them without a laminator machine? Can you do it cheaply at Kinkos or the office supply store do you think?

In Reply to Kira: I took the game cards to a local copy store that also has a laminating machine and paid by the foot to have them laminated. I called around to a few stores first to find the best price. I'm glad you mentioned that your husband likes to play dice games. It reminded me of a free printable booklet that I found with dice games from A to Z. It might be a fun item to add to his gift. Here's the link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/103089/A-to-Z-of-Dice-Games

Thank you for this! I was making my mom and husband this big eat in meal night for christmas and I wanted to have a game included. They like simple games and I was actually thinking of just buying them Farkle, but this is just perfect! Thanks again!

Super Cute! I'd love it if you joined in on our "show off" post @ http://www.beckhamandbloom.com/2010/12/show-off.htmlMy readers would love this craft! Have a great week.Mellyhttp://www.beckhamandbloom.com

I just wanted to say thanks so much for posting this. It arrived with perfect timing. We had just had two large, unexpected expenses and I was scrambling for ideas for last minute gifts for family. I was able to make six of these and they were well received. Thanks!!!

Thank you for sharing great gift ideas! Not only did I use this for Christmas grab gifts, but at school we have a Secret Angel program with students and I will be modifying this for an Easter bag to put in her basket. Thanks!!!

This is such a great idea!! We recently started doing a monthly Neighborhood Family Game Night; the first week of every month, all the families in the neighborhood get together (we rotate houses, and the host house provides dinner!), we play team board games like Pictionary and Cranium and Twister, have game wheels with small prizes, and set up a projector to watch movies! It's a great way to get to know the families in the neighborhood, make new friends, welcome newcomers to the neighborhood, and spend a fun night with your family! :)

Love it! My daughter has a brand-new 3rd grade teacher. She has asked for board games for the days the kids have recess inside. I am going to make up several dice game packets for her classroom. Very inexpensive, and as an added bonus -- most require the kids to practice their adding skills! Shhh... don't tell the kids they'll be doing math. ;-)

Love this!! Thanks so much for the printable!! My 4 year old made one for her game-loving sister for Christmas. She decorated the bag with fabric markers and added a couple little note pads (adding stickers spelling "score" on the front of each) for scorekeeping.

Is there another place to find the printable book of dice games from A to Z? I really don't want to become a premium scib member in order to download it. Thanks for the great ideas. Miriammorgill@byu.net

To Miriam: That's too bad they require you to subscribe to download it, I didn't know that. I don't know of anywhere else to download it, but I haven't ever run a search for it. It's possible that you might find something that's similar. I know that a couple of years ago I was able to print the booklet and I didn't have to subscribe so that might be an option for you. I hope you can find something, if you do let me know. :)

Hi Dot, the link is still there and working, you might need to try a different computer to open it. If you are using a business or school computer sometimes the administrator blocks links. Hope this helps!

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